PLX Technology's latest batch of PCI
Express (PCIe) switch chips adds a host
of new features, such as dual-cast support
in addition to 5-Gbit/s transfer
rates. The collection includes the PEX
8648 (48 lanes, 12 ports), PEX 8632
(32 lanes, 12 ports), PEX 8624 (24
lanes, six ports), PEX 8616 (16 lanes,
four ports), and PEX 8612 (12 lanes,
three ports). Each chip supports PLX's
read pacing algorithm to ensure fair
sharing of bandwidth. The chips also provide
new power-management support
and the ability to turn off idle blocks. The
maximum payload size has been
increased. And, there is now data path
parity and error cyclic-redundancy check
(ECRC) on egress for applications like
RAID controllers. The switches are available
in compact flip-chip packages.
PLX Technology
www.plxtech.com